A Lowestoft business is looking forward to an exciting future thanks to the new superfast broadband being rolled out across Suffolk.

Hubble & Co, which is based at Cooke Road on the South Lowestoft Industrial Estate, supply nuts, bolts and screws to oil and gas companies, the engineering trade and the building construction industry.

The business was set up more than 25 years ago, as it was established in Great Yarmouth in 1988. Five years ago they opened up a new premises in Lowestoft to develop the 'web shop' aspect of the business.

Richard Woodrow, from Hubble & Co, said: 'The Hubble online shop specialises in fasteners of all varieties, including nuts, bolts, washers, socket screws and a range of pins and rivets.

'The challenge we have had is that with awfully slow internet speeds we've struggled to share data with our Great Yarmouth office, let alone businesses wanting to buy from us.

'That is why Better Broadband for Suffolk has been fundamental to our future success,' Mr Woodrow admitted.

'Our ecommerce site is key to our business development and is what our customers demand from us.

'Superfast broadband means we can look to the next 25 years with robust plans in place.'

The public sector is investing £1.7billion in the UK's digital infrastructure so that by 2017, 95 per cent of businesses and homes across the UK will be able to access high speed fibre broadband.

Despite the economic challenges for the UK over recent years, the oil and gas industry – which is key to the Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth area – has meant that custom for Hubble & Co has been constant.

'It is busy times for us as customers big and small recognise the importance of our specialist knowledge and comprehensive stock availability,' Mr Woodrow said. 'Our web shop and ecommerce offer is crucial to keep that business and with superfast broadband we feel confident as we move forward.'

Find out more about the superfast broadband rollout in Suffolk by visiting www.gov.uk/gosuperfast

? What are broadband speeds like where you live? Tell The Journal by calling 01502 525825 or email andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk

Leader keen to stress the importance of broadband

Suffolk County Council leader Mark Bee was keen to stress the importance of fibre broadband to Suffolk.

He said: 'Improving the coverage of broadband throughout the county allows businesses outside of the major towns to communicate and do business more effectively, which can only be of benefit to the Suffolk economy.

'Access to better broadband across the whole of Suffolk is at the heart of our economic growth strategy. We will continue to lead the way and push on to reach our new target of bringing at least 95 per cent coverage of fibre broadband to Suffolk. The rollout of fibre broadband across Suffolk creates exciting opportunities for us all.'

Hubble & Co work in partnership with Rade Digital, a web and IT solutions provider delivering network computer systems. Jake Barton, from Rade Digital, said: 'Like many businesses they were finding the broadband on the South Lowestoft Industrial Estate very poor which is why the implementing of Better Broadband for Suffolk has made such a major difference.

'We've come in and made sure the Hubble team can make the very best of the new superfast speeds which means their ecommerce offer and business development can move forward.'